Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas Renaissance, Rhone, France 2015

€75,00

Quantity

Renaissance can be described as a second “Cornas”, the masterpiece of Domaine Auguste Clape. August Clape is one of the pioneers of the Northern Rhone, and his Syrah’s are among the most celebrated wines of France with great complexity and aging potential

Renaissance is made from 20 to 25-year-old vines of the domain's best slopes as well as older vines from the lower slopes. Domaine Clape’s traditional winemaking methods hardly changed since the beginning. They ferment the wines in neutral cement vats and age them in large, used oak foudres. He believed his methods allowed the wines to display the character of the granite-rich slopes of Cornas. Auguste Clape told author John Livingston-Learmonth, “as for aging casks, here you need neutral wood with no tannin in it. The Syrah must breathe.”

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

94 points, Wine Spectator

This has a terrific core of raspberry, plum and boysenberry fruit that is vivid and pure, streaked with savory, rosemary, olive and bay leaf noted. A brisk iron accent piers the finish, adding freshness and drive. Best from 2020 - 2035

92-94 points, Jeb Dunnuck - Wine Advocate

The two Cornas releases in 2015 are head-turners that warrant serious attention. The 2015 Cornas Renaissance comes from the younger vines of the estate and terroirs closer to the village. I was able to taste the different components, all of which were loaded with fruit as well as classic Cornas notes of black olives, violets and pepper. Issue 228, 30th Dec 2016

92 points, Joe Czerwinski - Wine Advocate

The 2015 Cornas Renaissance is a blend of two young-vine (under 25 years of age) parcels with a bit of Sabarotte to bind them together. It’s fruit-forward and verging on jammy in this hot vintage, but it has a base of crushed stone and iron to ground it. It should drink well young. Issue 234, 29th Dec 2017

A visit to these ancient cellars in the heart of Cornas is a trip back in time, with a ride on the tiny 1950s-era freight elevator almost the only concession to modernity. Most of the magic takes place in the cellar’s ancient foudres, which add their own sense of mystery and history to the wines. Pierre-Auguste Clape took time out from his retirement to taste me through an array of wines, as his son was at another appointment. According to Pierre-August, “It’s too soon to call 2015 the vintage of the century.” That said, the 2015 Cornas is not to be missed.

91-94 Vinous - Antonio Galloni

Some of the most singular wines in the world emerge from the dark, barely-lit cellars of Pierre-Marie Clape and his son, Olivier. This is a bastion of traditional winemaking and these wines are not destemmed, see long fermentations, and are aged in ancient barrels and casks. As Robert Parker wrote at one time, “There is nothing wrong with a case of Clape!” I agree wholeheartedly!